For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public schools serving 1,653 students in ESD 159 School District. This district's average testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Illinois.
Public Schools in ESD 159 School District have an average math proficiency score of 9% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
5 Schools
4,394 Schools
# Students
1,653 Students
1,842,872 Students
# Teachers
130 Teachers
137,935 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
ESD 159 School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 861 school districts in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
Overall District Rank
#700 out of 865 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
9%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
50%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.35
0.69
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
6%
% Hispanic
15%
29%
% Black
79%
16%
% White
2%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $28,973 is higher than the state median of $22,455. The school district revenue/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $26,461 is higher than the state median of $21,692. The school district spending/student has grown by 16% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$48 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$44 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$28,973
$22,455
Spending / Student
$26,461
$21,692
Best ESD 159 School District Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Neil Armstrong Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5030 Imperial Dr
Richton Park, IL 60471
(708) 481-7424
Richton Park, IL 60471
(708) 481-7424
Gr: PK-5 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Woodgate Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
101 Central Ave
Matteson, IL 60443
(708) 720-1107
Matteson, IL 60443
(708) 720-1107
Gr: PK-5 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #33.
Marya Yates Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6131 Allemong Dr
Matteson, IL 60443
(708) 720-1800
Matteson, IL 60443
(708) 720-1800
Gr: PK-5 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #44.
Colin Powell Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
20600 Matteson Ave
Matteson, IL 60443
(708) 283-9600
Matteson, IL 60443
(708) 283-9600
Gr: 6-8 | 564 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #55.
Sieden Prairie Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
725 Notre Dame Dr
Matteson, IL 60443
(708) 720-2626
Matteson, IL 60443
(708) 720-2626
Gr: PK-5 | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to ESD 159 School District?
ESD 159 School District manages 5 public schools serving 1,653 students.
What is the rank of ESD 159 School District?
ESD 159 School District is ranked #704 out of 861 school districts in Illinois (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in ESD 159 School District?
79% of ESD 159 School District students are Black, 15% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are White.
What is the student/teacher ratio of ESD 159 School District?
ESD 159 School District has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the Illinois state average of 14:1.
What is ESD 159 School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $26,461 is higher than the state median of $21,692. The school district spending/student has grown by 16% over four school years.
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
